Piezoelectric airflow power generator

Abstract

Disclosed are devices and methods for generating electrical power by using airflow energy to create air pressure fluctuations within Helmholtz chambers containing piezoelectric materials. The generator device includes an intake having stationary blades for directing wind into a flow treatment stage, which in turn directs a flow of modified air into a flow interface stage. In the flow interface stage, a plurality of Helmholtz chambers containing piezoelectric units are configured around a flow interface chamber wherein passing modified airflow establishes air pressure fluctuations within the Helmholtz chambers thereby causing the piezoelectric units to generate electricity. The device routes generated electrical current to a processor for use as a power source. Also disclosed is a method of generating electrical power using airflow energy. The method includes collecting airflow from the environment to create pressure fluctuations within containers housing piezoelectric units.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power generator, comprising:
 an intake stage;   a flow treatment stage;   a flow interface stage; and   a power processor,   wherein the intake stage comprises a plurality of blades oriented to collect a flow of air from multiple directions and direct the flow of air to the flow treatment stage,   wherein the flow treatment stage modifies the flow of air and directs a modified flow of air into the flow interface stage,   wherein the flow interface stage includes a flow interface chamber, one or more exhaust outlets, and a plurality of Helmholtz chambers,   wherein each of the plurality of Helmholtz chambers includes a port, a plurality of piezoelectric units, and a connector for delivering electrical power to the power processor.   
     
     
         2 . The power generator of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flow treatment stage includes one of the following: a venturi inlet, a spiral inlet, or an inlet with a central inverted cone for pushing airflow to an outer edge of the flow interface chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The power generator of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flow treatment stage includes a flow guide comprised of a set of tubes, and two or more channels for delivering airflow to the flow interface chamber at a 90 degree angle, each of the two or more channels further comprising a venturi nozzle.   
     
     
         4 . The power generator of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the flow interface chamber further comprises a venturi section, a vortex chamber, and a plurality of intake slots with angled blades, and   wherein each of the plurality of Helmholtz chambers has a port that opens onto the vortex chamber.   
     
     
         5 . The power generator of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the flow interface chamber includes two or more vortex outlets, each of the two or more vortex outlets corresponding to one of the two or more channels;   the Helmholtz chambers are divided into a top set and a bottom set, wherein each Helmholtz chamber in the top set includes a port that opens onto a ceiling of the vortex chamber, and each Helmholtz chamber in the bottom set includes a port that opens onto a floor of the vortex chamber; and   the one or more exhaust outlets is a pair of venturi outlets located on a centerline of the flow interface chamber.   
     
     
         6 . The power generator of  claim 3 , wherein the flow interface stage is comprised of layers. 
     
     
         7 . A generator, comprising:
 a plurality of blades for collecting a flow of air and directing the flow of air into a flow treatment stage;   a flow interface chamber;   a plurality of Helmholtz chambers, each of the plurality of Helmholtz chambers including a port, a plurality of piezoelectric units, and an electrical connection;   one or more exhaust outlets; and   a power processor.   
     
     
         8 . The power generator of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the flow treatment stage includes one of the following: a venturi inlet, a spiral inlet, or an inlet with an inverted central cone for pushing airflow to an outer edge of the flow interface chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The power generator of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the flow treatment stage includes a flow guide comprised of a set of tubes, and two or more channels for delivering airflow to the flow interface chamber at a 90 degree angle, each of the two or more channels further comprising a venturi nozzle.   
     
     
         10 . The power generator of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the flow interface chamber further comprises a venturi section, a vortex chamber, and a plurality of intake slots with angled blades, and   wherein each of the plurality of Helmholtz chambers has a port that opens onto the vortex chamber.   
     
     
         11 . The power generator of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the flow interface chamber includes two or more vortex outlets, each of the two or more vortex outlets corresponding to one of the two or more channels;   the Helmholtz chambers are divided into a top set and a bottom set, wherein each Helmholtz chamber in the top set includes a port that opens onto a ceiling of the vortex chamber, and each Helmholtz chamber in the bottom set includes a port that opens onto a floor of the vortex chamber; and   the one or more exhaust outlets is a pair of venturi outlets located on a centerline of the flow interface chamber.   
     
     
         12 . The power generator of  claim 9 , wherein the flow interface stage is comprised of layers. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using airflow to generate electrical power, the method comprising:
 capturing energy from an environment as a flow of air;   directing the flow of air through a flow treatment stage;   directing a modified flow of air from the flow treatment stage into a flow interface stage;   using the modified flow of air to establish air pressure oscillations within a plurality of Helmholtz chambers located in the flow interface stage;   using the air pressure oscillations within each of the plurality of Helmholtz chambers to cause a plurality of piezoelectric units to generate electrical current;   passing a flow of exhaust air out of the flow interface stage through one or more exhaust outlets; and   processing the electrical current for use as a power source.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 using the modified flow of air to generate a vortex airflow within a flow interface chamber; and   directing the vortex airflow across a plurality of ports, wherein each of the plurality of ports corresponds to a Helmholtz chamber, and wherein the vortex airflow flows across at least one port two or more times.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 creating a modified flow of air within the flow treatment stage by one of the following:   passing the flow of air though a venturi inlet, passing the flow of air through a spiral inlet, or passing the flow of air through an inlet with an inverted central cone.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 creating a modified flow of air within the flow treatment stage by passing the flow of air through a flow guide, and from the flow guide into two or more channels for delivering the modified flow of air to a flow interface chamber.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 directing the modified flow of air through a venturi section to create a vacuum in the flow interface chamber; and   drawing air into the flow interface chamber to generate the vortex airflow.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the one or more exhaust outlets is a pair of venturi outlets located on a centerline of the flow interface chamber.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the modified flow of air is a laminar flow.